Settle in on deck to cruise the River Seine through wintry landscapes: pale limestone cliffs, sleepy villages and bare poplars mirrored in the water’s sheen. Wrap your hands around mulled wine on the sun deck as quiet quays and church spires slip by in soft seasonal light.

As Paris draws near, silhouettes sharpen into the Eiffel Tower skyline and the storied Île de la Cité. Glide past bridges and embankments along the UNESCO-listed riverbanks, seeing the city’s architecture and history unfold from the Seine’s timeless vantage point.

Taste the season during a Chef’s Signature Dinner—a curated, multi-course menu inspired by the regional flavours of France. Expect seasonal produce, classic sauces and artisan cheeses presented with contemporary polish, all served in the ship’s elegant dining room.

Your culinary team shares France’s terroir through plates that might nod to Normandy’s orchards, Burgundy’s cellar traditions or Provencal herbs. This convivial evening celebrates craftsmanship and conversation as much as cuisine, pairing winter warmth with refined French technique.

Glide beneath Paris’s bridges on a Bateaux Parisiens sightseeing cruise, where the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Musée d’Orsay shimmer against the water. An English-language audio guide shares stories as monuments glow—proof of why Paris is forever the City of Light.

This optional experience is offered at additional cost and is bookable on tour. In about an hour, enjoy open-air views and glass-canopied comfort while the capital’s UNESCO-listed riverbanks frame an atmospheric panorama of history, art and illuminated architecture.

Walk the Seine-side streets on a guided orientation tour of Vernon, where timber-framed houses, stone lanes and the picturesque riverside mill set a storybook scene. Hear how merchants and millers shaped this Norman town as you get your bearings among cafés, market squares and quiet quays.

In the town’s spiritual heart, bask in a private organ recital at Vernon Cathedral. The nave’s blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture magnifies the music’s resonance, filling the vaulted space with carols and choral pieces for a contemplative, seasonal glow.

Explore the princely world of the Château de Chantilly, home of Henri d’Orléans. Inside the Condé Museum, admire a jewel-box collection of masterpieces and manuscripts, preserved exactly as the 19th-century collector intended—an intimate gallery of Old Masters and rare texts.

During the festive season, elegant halls glow with tasteful decorations and candlelit warmth. Stroll the historic parterres and admire the silhouette of the Grandes Écuries—the monumental 18th-century stables—while the estate’s lights and winter gardens frame a refined celebration of French art de vivre.

Visit the visionary 17th-century masterpiece Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, created by Le Vau, Le Brun and Le Nôtre and famed as an inspiration for Versailles. Hear the dramatic tale of Nicolas Fouquet as you admire harmonious facades, grand salons and sweeping axial views across perfectly ordered gardens.

At Christmas, the château becomes a festive spectacle: crackling fireplaces, themed rooms dressed in garlands and glass, and gardens sparkling with illumination. A choreographed light projection animates the facade, while each year’s creative theme transforms this baroque icon into a new, immersive winter tableau.

Explore the capital on a guided Paris walking tour, tracing grand boulevards, glittering arcades and Haussmann facades dressed for winter. With insights from a local expert, discover how Parisians live, shop and celebrate amid café terraces, ornate passages and the luminous charm of the City of Light.

Conclude among festive stalls where you can sip hot mulled wine, sample regional treats and browse the Christmas markets for artisan gifts, decorations and gourmet specialities. Expect the aromas of roasted chestnuts, spice and chocolate drifting through lively, lantern-lit aisles.

Discover aristocratic Normandy as you tour Bizy Castle, the 18th-century residence fondly called “Little Norman Versailles”. Stroll through salons dressed for the season, admire carved wood panelling, and spot Bonaparte family mementos that evoke centuries of French style and society.

Celebrate Normandy’s orchard heritage with an interactive tasting that explores local apple varieties and the craftsmanship behind AOC-protected ciders. Learn how the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée safeguards quality as you compare aromas of baked apple, spice and blossom in this hands-on, sense-led experience.